The more Naruto thought about it, the brighter his eyes became. He, too, wanted to witness just how astonishing Lady Tsunade's Medical Ninjutsu truly was.
From the missions she had taken on before, it was already clear that her skill was extraordinary.
Naruto himself had used Heaven Rewards Diligence to elevate his Medical Ninjutsu to a remarkable level. By relying solely on Konoha's books and scrolls, his mastery of the Mystical Palm Technique was already highly advanced.
If Tsunade hadn't been around, Naruto's Medical Ninjutsu might have ranked as the best in Konoha. But with no further resources to push his growth, the improvement he gained from Heaven Rewards Diligence had slowed to a crawl, making further effort less worthwhile.
For now, it was enough.
Naruto quickly sent a message to Shisui:
"Shisui, have you forgotten we have another 'big shot' in the Umbrella Organization?"
Shisui, used to Naruto's strange turns of phrase, understood immediately.
"Big shot" was what Naruto called people with overwhelming skill in a particular field. Ever since he coined the term, it had spread quickly among Umbrella members, to the point where people even summarized Naruto's sayings as if they were proverbs.
Shisui thought for a moment before replying:
"You mean… Lady Tsunade?"
"Exactly," Naruto answered with a calm smile.
"With her level of Medical Ninjutsu, even if she can't fully cure Kimimaro, she can at least prolong his life. If I assist her, there may even be a real chance to heal him completely. Kimimaro is too rare a talent to waste."
Shisui paused for a moment, then quietly agreed. Together, Tsunade and Naruto might really save Kimimaro.
And if they couldn't… at the very least, Orochimaru would owe them a debt.
"I'll contact Orochimaru immediately," Shisui replied, ending the transmission.
Naruto glanced around, making sure no one was near, then sank into cultivation. He drew in the surrounding Natural Energy — part of it fusing with his chakra, the rest tempering his body and merging with the flow of blood and martial power.
Suddenly, a chill prickled the back of his mind. Someone was watching.
Naruto instantly recognized the sensation: the Telescope Jutsu.
Hiruzen Sarutobi.
He ignored it, keeping up the act of calmly refining chakra. The jutsu could show his outward form, but it couldn't reveal the changes taking place within his body.
Eventually, the feeling faded. Naruto opened his eyes, glanced around briefly, then closed them again.
Meanwhile, Shisui had already relayed the matter to Orochimaru. Upon hearing there was even a small chance of success, Orochimaru's eyes lit with rare joy. He had never expected the Umbrella Organization to provide a solution.
It wasn't guaranteed, but it was worth trying.
For the moment, he had completely overlooked the fact that Tsunade was part of the organization. Though Zabuza had once mentioned it, Orochimaru had been more interested in recruiting the swordsman than remembering the details.
So it didn't occur to him that Tsunade herself would be treating Kimimaro — with Naruto's assistance no less.
Still, to avoid unnecessary exposure, Kimimaro would have to appear as a member of Umbrella rather than directly under Orochimaru's banner. Orochimaru hesitated briefly, but with Kimimaro's condition deteriorating by the day, he had no choice. Without treatment, the boy might not survive the year. Better to risk it.
Not long after, Tsunade received an official order from her superior: an important member of the organization would be entrusted to her care.
She raised an eyebrow. Though she was counted among Umbrella's higher-ups, she had never been invited to the advanced meetings nor met most of the top brass. She understood her position was unique. Over time, she had stopped bothering to pry into the group's secrets.
One day, she would learn them naturally.
For now, she was content. Life at the base suited her perfectly. She held the highest authority there, free from oversight, able to indulge in her own pleasures. Sometimes she even took one of their planes out for joyrides.
Life was far too comfortable to complain.
Orochimaru wasted no time. That same day, he sent Kimimaro to Zabuza, who escorted the boy to Tsunade's base. By the next morning, Kimimaro stood before her.
The boy's determination burned bright. Even if the chance of recovery wasn't certain, hope rekindled his will. If his body could be healed, he could remain forever at Orochimaru's side.
Not Uchiha Sasuke.
Not anyone else.
Only him.
A flicker of fanatic devotion passed through his eyes, unnoticed by Zabuza.
When Zabuza finally presented the pale youth, Tsunade immediately recognized him as her patient. Among Umbrella's elites, Zabuza was the only one she had ever interacted with. At this moment, she had no idea of the deeper designs moving around her.
Although Tsunade's clearance level wasn't the highest, it was enough to access the Umbrella's internal records and certain Ninjutsu archives.
Her gaze shifted to the pale boy standing before her. That appearance… those features… could he be from the Kaguya Clan?
Tsunade's expression turned thoughtful. She had heard fragments of his story, but for the Kekkei Genkai illness to surface so early…
"He's from the Kaguya Clan, isn't he? And he's my patient?" she asked casually.
"That's right," Zabuza confirmed respectfully.
"He is Kimimaro of the Kaguya Clan. We're counting on you, Lady Tsunade."
Tsunade let out a wry smile.
"You're overestimating me. Do you really think the Kaguya Clan's Kekkei Genkai illness is that simple?"
Though renowned as the foremost Medical Ninjutsu specialist in the shinobi world, Tsunade knew well that illnesses tied to Kekkei Genkai were anything but simple. She had heard of the Kaguya clan's bloodline disease, but with no prior cases or research material, her knowledge was limited. If she'd had data to work from, things might have been different.
As it stood, all she could do was give her best effort. If she failed… there would be nothing more to offer.
Zabuza straightened slightly.
"Of course. That's why our Umbrella's leader will personally intervene. He, too, is an outstanding medical practitioner."
He deliberately avoided using the word "ninja."
Tsunade blinked, surprised. So that elusive leader would appear in person? Was he truly so highly regarded, even by this boy?
Her eyes flicked back to Kimimaro.
In truth, Naruto's interest in Kimimaro was limited. The boy's strength was impressive, perhaps reaching the level of a future Kage, but that alone wasn't enough to sway Naruto.
What he needed even more than battlefield power were specialists—geniuses like Orochimaru who could offer unmatched technical value.
Still, Kimimaro was a resource worth salvaging.
Naruto hurried toward the base while Tsunade escorted Kimimaro into the hospital.
Not long after, Naruto arrived. For Tsunade, it was the first time meeting the founder of the Umbrella Organization. A spark of curiosity flared in her eyes.
She had read the groundbreaking theories he had written and had expected someone older, a veteran sage of medicine or strategy. Yet standing before her was a young man radiating vigorous life force, nothing like the aged figure she had imagined.
Naruto's frame had grown tall and well-built, his stature already equal to how he would appear three years later in the original timeline. The steady nutrition and cultivation of his body were evident in his presence.
But his face was hidden behind a mask, keeping his identity concealed. Still, as she studied him, a strange sense of familiarity stirred within Tsunade's heart.
...
TN:
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